Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Relax by Meadowlark Botanical Gardens’ calming lakes and woodlands with a restorative morning of nature therapy (forest bathing) on Saturday, October 17, 10am to noon. During this peaceful morning, we’ll slow down with sensory invitations to reconnect with ourselves and nature by garden lakes thriving with fish, turtles, and dragonflies and among the woodland's songful birds and towering trees. Led by certified nature therapy guide Ilana Rubin of Kindred Nature, this guided experience includes mindful slow walking, quiet seated reflection, facilitated sharing, and tea.

What to Expect

Enjoy the gardens, slow down, awaken your senses, and share in a community-of-the-morning. Nature therapy (forest bathing) invites us to reconnect with nature—and our own inner nature—supporting wellness, stress relief, creativity, focus, and belonging. Drawing inspiration from the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, nature therapy offers mindful and sensory nature connection invitations that can help us rediscover our sense of belonging within the natural world and community.

About Nature Therapy

Nature therapy, also known as forest therapy or forest bathing, draws inspiration from the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku. Through mindful and sensory nature connection invitations, we create space to slow down and reconnect—with nature, with ourselves, and with each other. This practice helps us rediscover our sense of belonging within the natural world and our community. Research shows that nature therapy naturally reduces stress, restores focus, boosts creativity and mood, and supports immune health.

During our morning together, you'll be invited to:

• Slow down with guided mindfulness practices in a tranquil woodland
• Notice the subtle stillness and richness of life in mid-to-late summer
• Enjoy gentle guided wanders and quiet moments in the gardens
• Reflect, share, and connect within a warm-hearted, supportive community
• Close with tea, light snacks, and gratitude

Each program offers a unique journey, co-created by the season, the location, the wildlife, and our group. We may walk about a mile or less at a relaxing pace, on a mix of terrain that can include both paved and unpaved paths. Every invitation is adaptable to your comfort level—no experience or special skills needed. Whether you're new to mindful nature connection practices or have joined us before, you're warmly welcomed to this experience.

Meet Your Guide

Ilana Rubin brings warmth and expertise as a certified nature and forest therapy guide and as the founder of Kindred Nature. Trained and certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs, Ilana established Kindred Nature in 2021 to replenish inner radiance, resilience, and belonging with nature and community through empowering and restorative experiences. She has guided many rejuvenating nature connection programs at NOVA Parks sites, as well as for diverse clients including the US Forest Service, the GW Office of Integrative Medicine and Health, families, couples, and individuals. Visit Kindred Nature to learn more.

Join Us!

• Registration: $45 per participant (ages 18 and older). All attendees are considered participants. Advance online registration required.
• Welcome: All adults are warmly invited - no previous experience or background needed!
• Meeting Point: Meet at the Visitor Center of Meadowlark Botanical Gardens.
• Bring: Water bottle, comfortable weather-appropriate clothing, and shoes for outdoors.
• Weather: Program runs rain or shine unless conditions are hazardous.
• Arrival: Please come 10-15 minutes early to be ready to begin our journey together.
• Special Requests: For dietary allergies or accommodation needs, please contact kindrednatureguide@gmail.com.
• A refund is provided only if your space is filled by an individual on the waitlist. Refunds are not provided within 72 hours of the program.